This is a review of a split album between Spain's Elffor and Slovakia's Aeon Winds called "Pact Of Blood" which was released as a joint effort between Nightshade Records and Hexencave Productions and we will start off the review with Eiffor a solo project that plays an epic and atmospheric form of black metal.
His side of the split starts out with some epic sounding keyboards which also mixes in with the heavier sections of the songs at times. When the music speeds up a great amount of tremolo picking and blast beats can be heard which also gives his side of the recording more of a raw feeling and both of his tracks are long and epic in length.
Vocals are mostly grim sounding black metal screams along with the music also having its atmospheric moments. The tracks also have their symphonic moments as well as the solos and leads also being done in a very melodic style, the songs also add in a good mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts, the closing track goes for more of a dark ambient and dungeon synth direction and also brings in a brief use of female vocals. The production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics cover dark fantasy themes.
In my opinion Elffor are a very great sounding epic and atmospheric black metal solo project and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out his side of the split. RECOMMENDED TRACK "Summoning the Depths".
Next up is Aeon Winds who returns with an atmospheric and symphonic style of black metal.
Their side of the split starts out with a very epic and symphonic sound which also mixes in with the heavier sections of the songs at times. All of the musical instruments also have a very powerful sound to them while the solos and leads are also done in a very melodic style and the vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams.
When the music speeds up a great amount of tremolo picking and blast beats can be heard which also gives the songs more of a raw feeling. Throughout their side of the recording you can also hear a good mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts and the solos and leads are also done in a very melodic style.
Clean playing can also be heard briefly along with the music also having its atmospheric moments. Both of the tracks are also very long and epic in length as well as the songs also having a good mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts, all of the musical instruments also have a very powerful sound to them, acoustic guitars and both clear male and female vocals can also be heard briefly. The production sounds very professional while the lyrics cover Slavic Folklore.
In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Aeon Winds and if you are a fan of atmospheric and symphonic black metal, you should check out their side of the split. RECOMMENDED TRACK "Dreaming Mounds".
In conclusion I feel this is a very great sounding split and I would recommend it to all fans of atmospheric, epic and symphonic black metal. 8 out of 10.
Elffor
Website: https://elffor.com
Bandcamp: https://elffor.bandcamp.com
Aeon Winds
Bandcamp: https://aeonwinds.bandcamp.com